July 17, 2011
England

Wind turbines set to be the biggest yet – warning

By James Franklin, Reporter, Weston, Worle & Somerset Mercury, www.thewestonmercury.co.uk 16 July 2011

A proposed windfarm will ‘overshadow’ the surrounding villages and landscape, opponents have claimed.

The Mercury first reported last month that Broadview Energy Ltd is looking to build six 140metre wind turbines on a site at Pilrow Farm near Rooksbridge.

But residents have now registered their opposition to the project, and will soon set up an official opposition group.

Nick Woolmington, a resident of Lakehouse Lane, East Brent and a member of the No Pilrow Farm steering committee, said the turbines were the largest that the company had ever proposed building, anywhere in the UK.

He said: “At 140 metres high, we understand that the proposed turbines will be 15 metres taller than the largest ones they currently have. This means they will completely overshadow everything in the surrounding area, including Brent Knoll itself.

“Then there is the effect that the turbines are likely to have on the local wildlife – I am very concerned at the plans, and those concerns echo the concerns that have been raised by opponents of the potential windfarms in Brent Knoll and the Huntspills.”

Mr Woolmington added that at a meeting held to discuss the proposal last Thursday, the majority of the 100 or so attendees were against the plans.

Members of the group will meet tonight (Thurs) to discuss the formation of a new official group to oppose the scheme, before attending a meeting of East Brent Parish Council on Monday – a meeting Mr Woolmington says he hopes Broadview will attend.

A spokesman for the company said: “The wind turbine market is constantly evolving with recent trends seeing an increase in turbine size, this reflects a desire to maximise the amount of energy generated from a renewable source and therefore the wider environmental benefits.

“There are presently a range of environmental and technical studies taking place on the site which cover subjects such as ecology and landscape impact. The results of these studies help to inform the final design of the project and therefore ensure we propose a project that best suits the local area”.

Broadview is holding three more exhibition events in the area to gauge public opinion. They will take place from 2-8.30pm on July 21 at East Brent Village Hall, noon to 8pm on July 22 at Mark Village Hall and 10am to 2pm on July 23 at The Stables Business Centre in Rooksbridge.